Headlines

Joshua James Cox was found not guilty of malice murder but guilty of felony murder and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony Thursday in a Monroe County courtroom.

The jury deliberated just under two hours before reaching the verdicts.

Cox was charged with malice murder, felony murder and two counts possession of a firearm during commission of a felony in connection with the July 14, 2015 shooting death of Donald Terrell Clark.[Full Story »]

BPD investigators have identified the two suspects they were seeking in connection with damage at the recreation department after releasing surveillance video images. They are juveniles. Cases against them are pending.

The Lamar County commission announced the three finalists for the position of county fire chief at its regular meeting Tuesday night. The position was vacated last year when Chief Steve Andrews fell ill and subsequently died.[Full Story »]

Kathy Davis Oxford, a veteran of the economic development field who lives in Barnesville, has been hired as executive director of the Industrial Development Authority to replace Missy Kendrick who resigned last year to take a similar post in Polk County.

The deadline to submit a nomination for the 2017 Outstanding Citizen of the Year and Businessperson of the Year is Jan. 4.

The 2017 Outstanding Citizen and Businessperson will be announced alongside other exceptional citizens at the Community Awards Banquet Jan. 19. Nominations should be turned into the chamber office no later than 5 p.m. January 4. Nomination forms must include biographical information about the nominee, including a brief summary of their professional life, participation in civic, church and social activities, contributions to the community and why the person should receive the award. Updated nomination forms can be found at the chamber office, or on their website barnesville. org. Completed forms may be mailed to P.O. Box 506, Barnesville or faxed to 770-358-5886.

January’s banquet will also recognize the community’s Farmer of the Year, Career Woman of the Year, Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Britton Cauthen Firefighter of the Year and the STAR student and STAR teacher.

The Farmer of the Year will be presented by the Farm Bureau, the Career Woman will be presented by the Rotary Club, the Law Enforcement Officer will be presented by the Dewaine T. Bell Difference Makers, the Firefighter will be presented by the fire department and the STAR student and teacher will be recognized by the Kiwanis Club.

Tickets for the banquet are $25 and must be purchased before 5 p.m. January 16. For additional information contact the chamber at 770-358-5884.

At its final meeting of the year Dec. 20, the Lamar County commission bade farewell to Van Baker who completes a four-year term Dec. 31.

Baker, a Republican and retired Norfolk Southern railroad executive, decided not to seek reelection. Ryran Traylor, another Republican, ran unopposed for Baker’s post and will take office Jan. 1.

“It has been my pleasure. I had no idea what I was getting into. It has been a learning process. I have great appreciation for all the men and women on this board and who work on county staffs. In four years, I have seen tremendous positive change. I have been proud to be a part of that,” Baker said.[Full Story »]

If I cannot be a wise man, guided by a star, Let me be an humble shepherd, as all my people are;

For, though I cannot bring rich gifts to Mary and her Son, And though a lonely hillside is my only Parthenon, I can feel the heaven’s glory – can hear the angels sing, And I know they are proclaiming the advent of a King.

When Mary saw the costly gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh, I sometimes wonder – wonder if they meant as much to her.

As the fleecy little blankets that wrapped her Blessed Child; And, somehow, when I think of this, I’m always reconciled;

To stay out in the lonely fields and follow up the sheep, So there may be warm blankets where little children sleep.

C&B Store on Hwy. 41 South at Fredonia Church Rd. was hit by armed robbers at 7:20 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22. All were black males, one of whom produced a handgun and took an undisclosed amount of cash.
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Brannon Waller holds numerous academic achievements but remains humble while he is celebrated as the 2017 STAR student for Lamar County High School.

Waller scored a 1460 out of 1600 on his SAT and will be honored for receiving Star Student Achievement Recognition (STAR) during the Jan. 19 Community Awards banquet. Although he has been dual enrolled and primarily attending Gordon State College, Waller selected Sara Wilson as his STAR teacher after taking her math class during his sophomore year of high school. Waller has kept a close student/ teacher relationship with Wilson since the class and has been provided encouragement in all of his academic endeavors.

“This has been something I have always wanted to achieve, and Mrs. Wilson has always been there to provide encouragement,” said Waller. “Many teachers provide their students with great knowledge and spectacular insight to different subjects but Mrs. Wilson’s teaching left a huge personal impact on my will to succeed academically. She always kept an amazing attitude and her students always came to class excited to learn.”
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